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WPIAL quarterfinals preview: Monessen to face rival California

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One of the most heated rivalries I witnessed during the regular season returns tonight when No. 2 Monessen faces No. 10 California at Charleroi.

The Greyhounds won both meetings in Section 3-A with a 55.5-point average margin of victory. If the Trojans, who defeated Union in the first round, want to flip the script, they’ll have to be much more efficient on offense and must play better defensively.

In the first meeting, Cal committed 17 first-half turnovers to allow Monessen to jump out to a 44-18 lead at halftime. The Trojans have the potential to compete with the Greyhounds, but they have to play a cleaner game.

Utilizing sophomore forward Kass Taylor early and often will be necessary. He got into foul trouble in the first meeting and scored just eight points. Monessen used a full-court press to upset Cal’s rhythm.

I’m predicting the Greyhounds to win this one and move one step closer to the WPIAL title game, which I believe they have a great chance of winning. Though they are a younger team and lack size, the athleticism and speed separate Monessen from the pack.

Jaden Altomore, Justice Rice and Lavalle Rush are very tough to stop. You can’t key on one player and if teams install a zone defense to prevent the trio from driving to the basket, Monessen simply uses the outside shooting of senior Noah Rullo.

There are too many options to account for. It’s been a great year for California and it earned at least two more games with the new play-in games for the fifth spot in the PIAA playoffs, but the Trojans’ stay in the WPIAL playoffs will end tonight.

It’s nothing against Cal, but Monessen is once again incredibly strong.

WPIAL Class AAA Quarterfinals

No. 2 Beaver Falls (20-2) vs. No. 7 South Fayette (18-4) tonight at North Allegheny. Tip-off at 8 p.m.

The Lions defeated Steel Valley to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, while Beaver Falls beat Knoch. The Tigers are tall, athletic and extremely good offensively. Sophomore forward Josh Creach (6-5), sophomore forward Donovan Jeter (6-5) and senior guard Javon Turner (5-11) make up the bulk of the scoring for Beaver Falls.

Their size and versatility will create matchup problems, but South Fayette possesses one of the most underrated players in the WPIAL: senior guard Jack Relihan, who scored 28 points in the first-round victory over Steel Valley.

Don’t underestimate South Fayette. Though the Lions are not as talented on paper, they know how to win big games and they are playing with a chip on their shoulder after receiving the seventh seed.

Prediction: Beaver Falls wins a close one.

Girls Basketball

WPIAL Class AAA Quarterfinals

No. 15 South Park (14-10) vs. No. 10 South Fayette (17-6) Saturday at North Hills. Tip-off at 1 p.m.

This is a battle between two of the biggest first-round surprises. Few people thought the Eagles would knock of second-seeded Mars and the Lions beat a very good Ambridge team.

Though South Park’s record does not show it, they returned the bulk of their roster from last season, including junior guard Allison McGrath, who is a force on both ends of the court. The Eagles are also a very strong shooting team and their zone defense can cause fits for opponents.

That being said, South Fayette is playing its best basketball. South Park will not have an answer for junior center Emily Anderson and the Lions’ guards are as strong as the Eagles’.

Prediction: South Fayette advances to the semifinals.

No. 14 McGuffey (18-6) vs. No. 6 Elizabeth Forward (18-5) Saturday at Canon-McMillan. Tip-off at 1 p.m.

The Highlanders upset No. 3 Indiana in overtime Wednesday night behind senior guard Rachel Czulewicz. People are surprised that McGuffey can win when Sammie Weiss doesn’t have her best game, but look at the Highlanders’ lineup. Czulewicz and guard Katie Demi are more than capable of scoring points. They’ve done it before.

Both actually have the potential to take over a game for stretches and they’re very strong defensively. McGuffey defeated Elizabeth Forward, 87-78, in the regular season finale, but the Highlanders need to play better defensively to get another win.

The only concern I have about McGuffey is a lack of depth, but as long as foul trouble is avoided, not many teams in Class AAA are capable of beating the Highlanders. They will also need to play a cleaner game than what they did against Indiana. Turnovers and missed high-percentage shots will cost them against a very good EF team.

Prediction: McGuffey wins a close one.

No. 8 Trinity (17-6) vs. No. 1 Blackhawk (20-3) Saturday at North Allegheny. Tip-off 2:30 p.m.

The Hillers played extremely well to defeat a very good Belle Vernon team, but they’ll have to play even better to defeat Blackhawk, which has won 13 consecutive games and has not lost to a Class AAA opponent.

I expect Trinity sophomore guard Sierra Kotchman to guard Blackhawk senior Chassidy Omogrosso, which will be a matchup to look out for. Kotchman will have to prevent Omogrosso from taking over the game.

The Hillers will also need to win the rebounding game and shoot much better than they have as of late. I do think they have what it takes to defeat Blackhawk, but it’s going to be a very difficult task.

Prediction: Blackhawk wins

WPIAL Class AA Quarterfinals

No. 2 Burrell (20-3) vs. No. 10 Chartiers-Houston (16-7) tonight at North Catholic. Tip-off at 6 p.m.

The Bucs are once again one of the top teams in Class AA behind senior guard Sydney Bordonaro and junior Natalie Myers. They only average 51.8 points per game, but they are very strong defensively, allowing just 37 per game.

On the other hand, Chartiers-Houston has the potential to pull an upset because of freshman forward Alexa Williamson, who has been a revelation this season. She’s averaging 22.1 points per game and limits opponents’ second chances with her work in the lane.

The key for C-H will be to match Burrell’s guard play and play tough defensively. Limiting the three-point shot will be pivotal and they must play a cleaner game than the first-round win over Mohawk. This very well might be a better game than many expect, but Williamson must avoid foul trouble and C-H must avoid turnovers.

Prediction: Burrell wins

WPIAL Class A Quarterfinals

No. 3 California (22-1) vs. No. 6 Riverview (16-7) Saturday at Norwin. Tip-off at 1 p.m.

The Trojans have won 22 consecutive games and are playing their best at the perfect time. The mix of senior forward Lyndsey Huhn, sophomore forward Kylie Huffman, sophomore guard Jenna Miller and freshman guard Bailey Vig makes them one of the strongest teams in Class A.

Riverview is a great defensive team that uses the press and rebounding of Ariel Rafferty, but the Raiders are very inconsistent on the offensive end. They’ll need to score points in transition to spread California out, but I still think the Trojans have too many options to account for.

Prediction: California advances to the semifinals for the second straight year.

No. 2 North Catholic (18-5) vs. No. 7 Jefferson-Morgan (20-2) Saturday at Peters Township. Tip-off at 1 p.m.

The Trojans are averaging 61 points per game behind sophomore forward Samanthan Breen and freshman guard Mary Casamassa. They’ve played top competition and secured an impressive non-section win over Trinity to finish the regular season.

Jefferson-Morgan’s two losses came against California and the Rockets are a very strong defensive team. They rely on the play of their guards (Kayla Yorko and Nikki Venick) and a very good defense that gives opponents problems, but this is a bad matchup for J-M. The Rockets don’t have an answer for Breen.

Prediction: North Catholic wins.

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